Lifeline Armoured Fire Suppression Systems

Lifeline Armoured Fire Suppression Systems

This system is designed to quickly flood the area with highly effective 3M Novec 1230 extinguishant. Ideal for crew areas, the unique design ensures it can operate in any orientation. Available in 2.0kg and 3.0kg sizes.

The core of the system; used on Foxhound and Warrior platforms and in-process of being specified on several other UK MOD platforms. The compression discharge cylinder, which can be mounted in any orientation, uses Novec 1230 clean agent suppressants and a remote cartridge to provide super-pressurisation only when required at point of use.

Lifeline military systems represent the result of 20 years of development in motorsport from a company whose products are used to protect occupants and vehicles in every global category of the sport from club racer through touring cars, endurance, F1 and rally racing. The core motorsport drivers of high performance, light weight and speed are embedded into every area of everything we do. To us a military vehicle is as much a performance vehicle as a Le Mans prototype, WRC or F1 car; the only difference is size. Our system will begin discharging almost instantaneously after a fire is detected and will typically have a fire out in less than 2 seconds. All in system weight can be reduced to as little as 8kg. We have transferred all that we’ve learnt in motorsport into our military systems, developed it further and ruggedized it for increased durability. What we’ve learnt from the military is now being transferred back to motorsport. We believe we have the best tested, fastest and most effective multi-occupant vehicle fire suppression system available globally.

We remain a motorsport company that provides products to the military. We have built our reputation not only on the performance of our products, but on our attitude to problem solving, flexibility, honesty and willingness to take on what others will not.

Our system and work ethic is so significantly more effective than others that it received a BAE Chairman’s award for the Warrior UOR project.

System Specification

No military vehicle is exactly the same in configuration, architecture or conditions of deployment. As a result we start our process by asking some simple questions; area to be protected (crew, engine), Volume to be protected (occupied, unoccupied, partial occupied), fuel type, risk points (induction, exhaust, fuel pumping, etc.), automatic or manual activation, temperature range… While we can adapt most components to suit each platform and variant to ensure best performance, we always try to design a vehicle system from standard parts ensuring commonality. From the offset this will deliver an outline System Specification document, which remains a live document detailing the agreed performance characteristics of the system as it develops until such point as it is baselined as the final design.

Extinguisher

The core of the system; used on Foxhound and Warrior platforms and in-process of being specified on several other UK MOD platforms. The compression discharge cylinder, which can be mounted in any orientation, can be filled with Novec 1230 clean agent suppressant and uses a remote cartridge to provide super-pressurisation only when required at point of use.

Detection

High speed UVIR2 detectors in the crew area detect a fire in 27ms and have advanced processing algorithms to distinguish between a real fire and a false alarm. To provide greater protection against false alarms we always recommend the use of two detectors connected in a double knock configuration. Engine bay detection is provided by Protectowire, in a range of temperatures.

Control

Our control box is a simple unit housed in a cast aluminium case. The unit is powered independently of the vehicle electrics ensuring that it is still possible to fire the extinguishers should there be a loss of power. All connectors are high quality sub-miniature Deutsch ASU type; used extensively in motorsport these connectors are environmentally protected, tough and well proven. Push-to-Test switches are provided to check the wiring to the extinguisher and battery and a key switch disarms the system for maintenance.

Testing & Validation

Individual assemblies of the systems have been subjected to a battery of tests both in-house and externally during the course of our work with the MOD including; low and high temperature extremes, drop testing for function after an IED blast, battle field simulations, EMC and vibration testing. Systems have been constantly fielded in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2009 providing assurance that laboratory testing translates to reality. Our control box is a simple unit housed in a cast aluminium case. The unit is powered independently of the vehicle electrics ensuring that it is still possible to fire the extinguishers should there be a loss of power. All connectors are high quality sub-miniature Deutsch ASU type; used extensively in motorsport these connectors are environmentally protected, tough and well proven. Push-to-Test switches are provided to check the wiring to the extinguisher and battery and a key switch disarms the system for maintenance.

Toxicity

Systems use clean agent suppressants in a variety of cylinder sizes to suit the application. Once the crew area volume is known Lifeline will specify the cylinder size to give maximum fire protection without exceeding NOAEL and LOAEL values specified in JSP418. In unoccupied areas, such as the engine bay, more suppressant can be used to help account for any losses through panel gaps, service tubes etc.

Suppressant Mass

Volume protected

3 Kg

2.3-4 m3

2 Kg

1.6-2.3 m3

Servicing

Servicing of cylinders is required every two years and cylinders have a maximum service life of 10 years. Acceptance of a cylinder for service is subject to the condition of the cylinder; a strip and survey report is produced for all service cylinders and a notification provided if the cylinder is BER. Provided significant damage has not occurred to multiple components or sub-assemblies a cylinder can normally be economically returned to service; this is due to the modular construction of the cylinders allowing for replacement of individual components economically.

In-field servicing is possible with all STTE required already being position of the MOD. Lifeline offer hands on training to service personnel on a 1:1 or group basis at our factory in Coventry.

This system is designed to quickly flood the area with highly effective 3M Novec 1230 extinguishant. Ideal for engine & crew areas, the unique design ensures it can operate in any orientation. Available in 2.0kg and 3.0kg sizes.

This system is designed to quickly flood the area with highly effective 3M Novec 1230 extinguishant. Ideal for crew areas, the unique design ensures it can operate in any orientation. Available in 2.0kg and 3.0kg sizes.

Through our exclusive partnership with AeroGlow, crewsurvivability has moved up a level. AeroGlow’s HaLOhigh-powered LED lighting system is designed to workin conjunction with our fire suppression system, so thatvehicle escape hatches, handles and escape equipmentare illuminated as soon as the fire suppression system isactivated, aiding the escape for occupants.This collaborative effort is just one example of Lifelineputting the safety of occupants above all else, whilstpushing the technological boundaries.